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 Helicobacter pylori or H. pylori are a type of bacterium that infects the inner lining of the stomach, leading to chronic inflammation or peptic ulcers. The H. pylori infection is passed on either through contact between people or eating and drinking contaminated food and water. You are at higher risk of getting the bacterium if you live in unhygienic conditions. It is easy to treat the H. pylori infection, as a dose of antibiotics should get rid of the bacteria. Scientists have proved that most ulcers are caused by bacteria.

Causes

The main cause of helicobacter pylori is direct contact with things that could contain the bacteria like spit, fecal matter, or vomit. It can also spread through food and water that is contaminated. Helicobacter pylori usually tend to infect children and people with a weakened immune system.

Symptoms

In most cases, people suffering from helicobacter pylori do not display any symptoms. Usually, symptoms similar to those of gastritis may arise, including slight discomfort in the abdominal area, bloating, nausea, minor belching, and vomiting. However, for patients with an advanced infection, the symptoms to watch out for include pain in the abdomen that persists, dark or tarry stools, which could be due to the ulcers bleeding, bloated stomach, nausea, fatigue, and lowered red blood cell count. Make sure that you seek medical help if you notice black or tarry stools or feel tired often, as it could be due to a more severe problem of intestinal bleeding.

Home Remedies

There are certain home cures that can help alleviate pain caused by the ulcers due to the helicobacter pylori. Listed below are a few helicobacter pylori home remedies that you can try out, but make sure that you do not depend on home remedies alone. Allopathic treatment is necessary.

• Bananas: An antibacterial substance that may slow down the growth of H. pylori is present in bananas. Research shows that eating bananas produces more mucus in the stomach and aids in creating a barrier between the stomach lining and digestive acids. Bananas also tend to help you get a thicker stomach wall.
• Cabbage: Drinking a single quart of raw cabbage juice helps heal ulcers in just five days according to research. Raw cabbage juice is not the only healthy option, as studies show that eating plain cabbage helps stomach heal quicker. You can add raw cabbage to your diet in salads and sandwiches.
• Carrot Juice: Carrots are rich in vitamin A, which helps prevent the stomach lining from breaking down. This is useful as the carrot juice lubricates food that you have eaten while also protecting your stomach from unwanted and harmful micro-organisms.
• Cayenne Pepper: In moderation, cayenne pepper is useful in fighting ulcers; the pepper stimulates the blood, thus increasing nutrient supply to the stomach. A good recipe to follow is mixing a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper in warm water and drinking a cup of peppered tea everyday. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the food that you cook daily.
• Elm Bark: The elm bark helps soothe the mucous membranes that protect the stomach lining. It is often used as a powder, and herbalists suggest that you add a teaspoon of powdered slippery elm bark to a cup of warm water and drink the mixture thrice a day.
• Garlic: Garlic contains antibacterial properties that helps combat H. pylori. Use two crushed cloves everyday.
• Licorice: Studies have shown that eating licorice helps in healing ulcers as it helps decrease the capability of the stomach acid in harming the stomach lining. Licorice can be consumed in various forms as a tea or by cutting the root and mixing it in warm water. Eat only one ounce a day.
• Plums: Foods that are purple and red in color restrain H. pylori from growing. Most berries are also good fruit options to include in your diet. 

References:

1. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hpylori/
2. http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/
3. http://www.cdc.gov/ulcer/keytocure.htm

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

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